Sorry not to get personal........just in case you hear of some crazy lady going nutzo in a north NJ hospital tomorrow on the news, it is just me......about ready to personally strangle a ton of a folks at this hospital. Mom is improving- still some problems- oh, BTW the cancer surgery seems to have been a huge success, it is all the other stuff that was not wrong with her before she entered the hospital that they have f***ed up that I am annoyed about. Finally interceded today and called her internist- told his service that he had better get his hyde in to see her. He seems to be the ONLY voice of reason there and the only one bright enough to see her has a whole patient. The surgeon only looks at his work and the surgical stuff, the cardiologist only looks at her heart, but she could be bleeding to death from the surgical site.....on and on it goes.
And meanwhile my Dm is freaking out.......NOONE is willing to sit with her and tell her that perhaps what is going on is normal. I think I had better get her the heck out of there before they totally mess her up. For example: they are obsessing over her blood sugar- which was in complete control b4 surgery. Now it is way too high- they are giving her NO insulin, or any of her usual meds. And a diet of jello.....(loaded with sugar). Duh!!!!!!!!!!! And the stress of surgery and that she is totally inactive now due to the surgery. Of course her blood sugar is messed up. that is why I called her internist......I know he will see the big picture here. Oh, and because of a heart attack that they are not sure she had, they are giving her aspirin.....yet she is having a problem with bleeding.....gee......last I heard aspiring was a blood thinner.....but I am just a dope daughter here.....could use some of Robyns sarcasm now, and I am sure that Mouse with all the medical morons she has encountered can identify with this. So, on that happy note, I am out of here. Lord willing Dm will be sent home Monday, that is if they do not kill her first. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
Sorry not to get personal.......ginny

Ginny, Wow. Hospitals can be dangerous places. When my mother was dying of cancer, we kept her home as long as we could. Unfortunately, she needed care that only the hospital could give. During her last week of life, she got up in the middle of the night to pee. Being heavily medicated for pain, and disoriented as to where she was, she couldn't find the bathroom. My mother walked right past the nurses station (apparently nobody was there) and stumbled into a broom closet where she proceeded to urinate on the floor, slip and fall in it, and break her collarbone. She wasn't discovered until the following morning. My mother who was already in excruciating pain was made to suffer more than necessary because she was in the hospital. If I were to do it over (this was 18 years ago) I would have kept her home, taken a leave of absence from my job, and taken care of her myself. I'm sure a visiting nurse could have given her morpheine. When my DH was in the hospital last year, I did take time off work and stayed at the hospital all day, every day to advocate for him. I didn't trust the hospital personnel to look out for his best interests.

It is shameful how your mother is being treated right now. But I hate to say that I am not surprised. I hope her internist straightens everything out and that she returns home quickly. I will say a prayer for both of you.

Mouse, I'm glad some things are falling into place for you. I hope it is all settled soon.

Sue, Congrats on finally being free!!! I'll be joining you in 15 days.

I'm not sure if you all remember, but a church member was dying of cancer. I was part of a prayer chain for her, and during the time I was waiting for my biopsy results, I couldn't get her off my mind. I have a lot of cancer in my family. My parents died of cancer. My brother, sister, and aunt are cancer survivors. Anyway, after a long battle, the lady in my church died this past week. She was only in her 50's with two grown daughters about to get married. I was really hoping she would live to be at their weddings. The lady was a youth advisor with her husband with DH and me before DD was born. DH grew up in their neighborhood, and his DS was close friends with them. The lady's husband is our dentist. Her brother-in-law is our chiropractor. We were in Bible study together. So, I guess you could say that I knew her pretty well. Unfortunately, that was not the case. You see, her husband and daughters were VERY PRIVATE people. They never showed much emotion, or spoke of things that were personal. While he would crack my neck, her brother-in-law would give me details about her health, but he would complain that they didn't share much even with family. That is just how they were. Now, because of this, her cancer was never spoken about. I prayed for her. I sent her cards. My Sunday school class sent her a card. But beyond that, her family wasn't receptive to emotional support. That is how they are, and that is their prerogative.

This is my dilemma. When we go to the wake/funeral, what the heck am I supposed to say? Sure, I can say, "I'm sorry for your loss." But that seems so fake. It's just that I'm afraid of saying something that would upset them. To make it more complicated, DH has a dentist appointment on June 8th and I have one on June 24th. His will probably be cancelled, but if mine isn't, I will have to see her husband face to face, alone in close quarters. What the heck do I say to him without upsetting him. I can't say nothing or that would seem thoughtless.

I'm just not used to dealing with people who are so introverted and private. I talk about everything otherwise the stress gives me a stomachache. HELP!

Well, I must be off to do my report cards.

See ya!

Summer- first of all I am sorry to hear about the loss of your Bible study member. And you, being the sweet sensitive person that you are are worried about what to say. First of all, I remember all to well when my own father died, and some people, who did not know him at all hardly knew what to say. He was relatively young- 60- and died suddenly of a heart attack. I do remember several coworkers being there, and I was just so touched that they even showed up. This family is I am sure well aware of their desire for privacy. Perhaps you could mention her quiet witness.....for some people just their presence (or even just that you are used to seeing them there) is a comfort, and that is something that you can say about them. In a world where so much is "in your face" the quality of quiet dignity and grace is all too lacking. And of course you can mention ANY fond memories of her- a kind smile, maybe just the fact that she was at Bible study every week, or how dedicated she seemed to her family,....whatever. And of course offer prayers and help. You can, of course in passing mention how devastating cancer can be on a family and that the loss of a mother is especially difficult.
Comfort? Not much you can say that will ease pain- I feel rememberance of the deceased is the most comfort, and hearing others share happy/pleasant memories of their loved one. I will be thinking of you and pray for you and the grieving family also.

My mother is being discharged tomorrow. I did get hold of her Dr- told his service that he did not have to call me (he did not) but that he had better get his hyde in the hospital and take charge of her care...simply amazing enough, he did show up at her bedside an hour later. He did calm her- explain some stuff and actually sign the discharge papers for release on Monday. Good thing as I am sure the longer she stays in there the more they will find wrong with her. She is off all breathing assistance- on solid foods, her blood sugar is FINALLY starting to come down (had to drag her out of bed to walk down the hall)- her blood O2 levels are good...she looks great.
Now to get her out of there before they screw something else up that was not broken. Of course, Mrs Stubborn that she is- her potassium levels are low, so they gave her a liquid Potassium supplement. Well, she did not like the taste...so she threw it out down the sink 3X - and of course because her levels stay low the keep bringing the stuff in- and in greater quantities.
I had to play all kinds of stupid games with her- telling here that I would not feed her cat..........rat on her to the nurse........oh, gimme a break to get her to drink the stuff. A 4 year old lives in that 79 year old body! Felt like I was dealing with my Ds at the age of 4 all over again. But I did finally get her to take the stuff, twice. And this is what I have to deal with.
Told her that if she did not take the stuff I would have them put her on the 4th floor (psychiatrics). By the time I am done with this ordeal, maybe they should save a bed for me there.

Anyway........got 2 walks in today- one this am (before I came here to Dm's) and one this evening after I came back from the hosp. I am staying at Dm's tonite (tired of the 75 minute drive each way) and can get her home earlier this way. The nice part is I have noone to take care of tonite- the TV is MINE.......I can read, whatever. Yup, I miss everyone, but the peace and quiet is rather nice for a change too.
Guess I'd better sign off. Hope everyone is doing fine and had a good weekend. Take care.
Ginny

Wow...
Ginny: First, yes. I hate the majority of medical people I have met, and to be honest with you, having worked for a hospital system, I'm even less inclined. You may remember that I refused to see any doctor associated with my former employer. I saw how they treated the employees at the clinic, plus the way they treated me when I was a patient.
My gastroenterologist last week told me that my problem was that I was too smart for my own good, and most doctors can see that, so they dislike me because if I don't understand what they are asking, I'm going question what they say. And doctors typically don't like that. Now, my gastroenterologist and my endocrinologist aren't like that, which probably explains why I like them.
Summer: I wish you well at the funeral; I'm sure you'll come up with something to say that is appropriate. I'm never sure what to say either, mostly because I've only ever been to one Christian funeral, and that was for the husband of one of the Red Cross volunteers that I work with locally. I never met her husband, and while I knew he was very sick, I didn't know from what or anything. I really only got to know her in the last 4 or 5 months when she became the coordinator (team leader).
As for me... well, I definitely have the apartment. I'm not entirely thrilled with what I'll be paying, since it doesn't leave me much wiggle room for savings or grad tuition. I do have a budget that I've done already, and I'm pretty good at sticking to that (except for eating out... although that is becoming less and less with the new dietary restrictions!). I've spent my morning on the phone setting up utilities.
And I do have a full-time job from July 11-July 22 working for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards grading assessments. We're doing the actual tests, I think, and not portfolio submissions, so that is a good thing.
I've done all the utilities except cable, and I might wait a bit on that only because I think I can do satellite at the new place, and that might be cheaper. I'm going to ask when I visit in July.
I need to tell my current leasing company that I'm moving on August 5th, though, and I'm also waiting to call the moving company because the move-in date might change since I really want that studio apartment... I'll take the one bedroom, but except for my bookcases, everything will likely go in the bedroom. I might put the computer stuff out there, but I doubt that. They have a built-in desk that won't hold all my stuff, so unless I put the desk in the dining room or living room by itself, it'll have to go in my bedroom too.
I will eventually have to buy some furniture. My mother is trying to convince me to get a boxspring and sleep on my aero bed and put my futon in the living room... but I don't know if I want to do that. I like sleeping on the futon. The air-mattress is comfortable, but... We'll see.
I intend to ruthlessly prune books from my shelves this move so that I have some more room ... though I think some of the apartments have built in book-shelves, which is oh-so-lovely. And VERY VERY dangerous to a bookaholic like myself!
You wouldn't believe my Amazon.Com wish list!!!! And I typically can't bear to part with a book because I read them over and over again.
I need to bug out: I have PT at 2:30, going to the gym after that, doing some shopping for graduation gifts for the seniors at my former employer (the director promised to give them the gifts, and I have to see my professor tomorrow, so maybe she'll take them over to the school for me!)... and then I think I'm going to treat myself by going to hear a poetry slam at a local coffee/tea place. I've always wanted to go to the one in Baltimore. Besides, a friend of mine runs it, and I haven't been able to reach him since I was fired. I want to make sure he knows that I'm still around.
He's very different from most of the staff, so I think he'll be okay. If not, well, its a public place, and they can't make me leave.

Summer - Sorry. I am absolutely terrible at the whole funeral stuff, especially when it is a young person with so much to live for. I had a student whose DM died of cancer a week before he graduated. They are such a great family. I cried all the way through graduation thinking how hard it must be for all of them.

Ginny glad to hear that your DM is coming home today! My DF-in-law. Swallowed a pill down the wrong tube. He went to the emergency room, explained what happened, and was admitted. They xrayed and told him he had cancer and should get his wills in order. Then they did a scope 4-5 days later and found SURPRISE! a pill in his broncial tube! That poor man (and the whole family) went through **** for almost a week when he told them right away what the problem was!

Mouse - Glad things are beginning to fall into place!

Sue

Ginny, I'm glad that doctor of your mother's got his butt in gear and made it to the hospital so quickly. I'm impressed. I'm sorry that dealing with your mother is like dealing with a child. It can't be easy. My mom died at 62, with all her faculties, so I was spared that. I had to deal with alzheimer's in my father a little bit, but my stepmother got the brunt of it. (When I get old, if I become a widow, I am never getting married again. I refuse to be saddled with a crazy old coot late in life. If anything happens to DH, I will allow charming, handsome, wealthy gentlemen to take me out and spend money on me, but I'm NOT MARRYING THEM!!!) Thanks for the advice about the wake. It was not easy, but the family was much more open with their emotions on the surface. As much as it is hard to see people cry, it is a lot easier to offer support to them. I let her daughters know that my mom died of cancer also when I was 22, and I am always available if either of them need to talk to someone who knows what it is like. I feel so badly for them. Their mom was (thankfully) around for one wedding, but for the other daughter, she will be missing her mom. Grandchildren will be born without her there. Those are the things that broke my heart, and I know it will be hard on them. It is so unfair for someone so young to die. It really sucks.

Sue, I can't believe your father-in-law went through such a nightmare in the hospital. Then again, I guess I'm not that surprised.

Mouse, As you continue to settle into your new life, I'm sure you will feel more at peace. I have a strong feeling that everything will turn out great.

Rob, miss ya.

Paisley and Pam, How's it hangin'?

I had a PPT today that I was never told about. Don't ya love it? During dismissal, I saw a couple of people that I was in a PPT with a couple of weeks ago, and had a feeling that they had scheduled a second one since the parent did a no-show. Anyway, the parent picked up her son, and I stalled her until my aide managed to grab someone who would escort her into the meeting. The woman ended up chasing her down the street!!! By some miracle, the mom returned to school for the PPT and signed the papers!!! WOW!!!

Take care one and all.

I'm Back!
Wow, gone for a few days and it takes an hour to read all the posts.Just got back from Virginia Beach! Went to get my lil stinker. The vacation is over! The house will once be full of kids wanting snacks and wanting to swim and sleep over......Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

First let me say, that I must begin my whole diet and excercise again in the morning. The whole week my son was with my mother we did nothing but eat out! Ok, we walked once...... I'm almost afraid to weigh myself. But, I am remotivated. August 8th Ginny! Or, somewhere around there.
We actually bought two tennis racquets on Saturday, since there are tennis courts in our neighborhood. That should be interesting.
Geez, I don't know where to start.

Ginny: Prayers go out to you and your mom. I hope everything is going ok for you. I know you can lose those last few pounds. What you said to Summer about the loss of her bible study member was BEAUTIFUL. You seem to always know the right thing to say.

Mouse: A new fresh start for you. I know it's difficult starting over, but my dad was in the Navy and I'm used to that. Sometimes, I feel like I want to go somewhere new and start over too. Good Luck!

Sue: My middle name is Sue also. Congrats on being out of school! I am considering tomorrow as my first real day of vacation since I had to work until Friday and then went to my mom's house. I wish I had 11 acres. We had a farm when I was a teenager. I complained at the time about all of the work I had to do once all the veggies came in, but I miss it now. I love to work outside and garden, and I have a fish pond which requires more time than I would like to admit. Unfortunately, I killed all my fish last summer, so I am going to get new ones as soon as I get my pond plants in. Glad you're here.

Summer: Not to much longer huh? I will think of you tomorrow as I lounge by the pool. (Ok, so actually I have to pull weeds tomorrow, but I may get a quick swim in in the afternoon.) My grandmother had alzheimers.(sp?) I know I am doomed. She was a mess. She had been living with my mom and dad for years, and one day she kept calling me like fifteen times in a row asking me to go and buy her some cigarettes. I said ok Granny I can't leave to do that for you if you don't stop calling me. So, she forgot totally who my father was, and accused him of burying all this money in the back yard. Then, she would have these full length converstions in the mirror with this "mystery lady" because she couldn't recognize herself. She would argue for hours and yell at the lady because the lady would not leave. My mother finally had to cover all the mirrors up. She would roll up coffee grounds and tea bags and try to smoke them. It was a mess. I thought my mother would have a nervous breakdown. My mom is starting to get a little forgetful and she says oh it's starting already. Well, unless I have my car keys stapled to my fore head I can't find them. I know I'm in serious trouble. I told my hubby to go ahead and get a "home" set up for me. It's really not a laughing matter. But, it's just so funny that my dad who was the nicest person to her and did everything to her was just taken out of her memory, and this little sweet old lady who sang hymns, went to church, would just cuss him out. I had never ever heard her utter an unkind word about anybody. Ok, sorry to babble........

Robyn: You are on fast forward as usual. Hope that drink with the umbrella was good. Drink two for me. How was the wedding cake?

Paisley: Where'd you go?

Kerry: Hey girl what's up!

Before I forget.........Oldest son and the continuing car saga......Yes, his car is a piece of . Let me back and say that since February or March, transmission, brakes, timing belt, and then he threw a rod through his engine. We found a used engine, actually the same model car at a junk yard, so, the guy who put it in said at first he would guarantee it for ninety days, now he says that the transmission is slipping (this was the first thing that we fixed on the car) and if it isn't looked at he won't be able to guarantee the engine. So, he had already fixed the car I had to pay for the repair. My mom yelled at me because he had promised a guarentee, my husband was mad as well. Seems like everyone is mad at me about this stupid car, that I didn't pay for in the first place. Yes, I told my mom I am writing to the dealership where they bought the car and mailing them a packet of lemondade. The second day he had the car it started having problems and the man said oh well you bought it. It's ridiculous. I wanted to just get in my car Saturday morning and just drive away and not even tell anyone where I was..................I couldn't do that to my lil guy though. He didn't yell at me about the stupid car. The whole point of this story, is that his job requires his car. So we've been in another catch 22!
Ok, enough yakking. I missed you guys.
Nite!
Pam

Hi, all.
I went to an AWESOME open mike/poetry reading at a cool coffee bar. There are SOME advantages to not having to get up early in the morning! I fully intend to go to more of these since they're so close.
I have a semi-part-time job in addition to my scoring job with NBPTS... I'm going to lifeguard at the gym. The aquatics director needed a quickie sub, and so I'm it. I knew that license would come in handy again!
I'm just going to fill in, but its a little money I didn't have planned... so that will maybe keep me in the weekly grocery stuff I need (veggies mostly... and I eat cheap stuff like celery and cucumbers!).
Anyway... that was totally awesome, and so was the performance tonight. The capper was taking the headliner from the performance across town to the bus station in a huge massive downpour. We got lost twice. It was fun! We got there just in time.
I can only hope tomorrow's meeting with the professor who is also an administrator at the high school goes as well. We can hope.

Well... I'm off to the meeting in a very few minutes. I absolutely cannot eat breakfast right now, and I actually wore MAKE-UP! I never wore make-up to school or the outfit I'm wearing. In fact, this outfit is typically only worn for summer presentations.
I was afraid it might be big on me, since the majority of the other "presentation" or "interview" outfits I bought are... but then I remembered that this one is truly ancient. My grandmother bought it for my very first presentation in summer 1999. So, the full impact of the endocrine disorder hadn't happened yet. I'm surprised its moved 3 times with me since I probably assummed I couldn't wear it!
Laters...

Just a short hello.......great to be home again and attempting to get my life back into some semblance of normal. Whatever that is!

Mouse- great to hear that your life is starting to fall into place. And some parttime employment too to tide you over. How did the meeting go today?

Pam- ah, they will all understand when their kiddies are teens. Best of luck with Ds and the car saga........sort of redfines patience, eh? Glad the vacation was so much fun....hope your return to reality is not too painful. And we missed you too!!

Summer- so glad the funeral was easier than you anticipated- well not easier, but conversation flowed more easily. Yup, tears are so hard to take- I thought all along that the Lord would put you there for a reason, and I am sure he used you well. You can be a special comfort to the family with your own personal experience. And I know all about the special loss felt when your parents never knew their grandchildren. My Dad never saw any of my kids......and my son is a lot like my Dad was. He would have loved him I know. Oh, and if you find that charming wealthy gentleman......ask if he has a brother for me!!!

Sue- what an awful story about your FIL!!!! I can identify with the family- after all the junk I went thru with my mother. How has life been treating you?

Robyn- miss you!!! Where you hiding?

Kerry- miss you too???? Everything ok?

Dm is doing ok......lots to fill in with regards to her. Good news, and that is all I will leave- her biopsys came back good- no chemo, no radiation. She is thrilled.
Gotta go get something done here. After all the nonsense going on the house looks like a fright!!!Take care.
Ginny

Hey!
Hope everyone had a good day today. I really have decided I like not working! I mean, I did do the normal running of the house stuff, then took a swim in the pool the water temp was up to 80 today finally! Did a little bit of weeding in the flower bed, visited with a friend, READ READ READ! I need a job of Independently wealthy.
Happy to say I also ate well today, and excercised. I'm gonna try and get up in the morning and excercise before my hubby goes off to work. I was planning on doing that today but those bed rays wouldn't allow me to get up.

Ginny: Glad your mom is doing better. It's really hard to be two places at one time isn't it? You know though, in spite of the fact that your house may be a mess.......It will still be there when you are ready to tackle it. Saying prayers..... Decided to drive my son's car this am to see exactly what the deal was.....Not only will it not shift properly, the speedometer doesn't work now. It was working prior to the repair. UGHHHHHHH! That which does not kill us makes us stronger............

Mouse: How was your meeting today? Hope it all went A-ok.

HEY TO EVERYONE ELSE!

GOT A HOT DATE WITH STEPHEN KING, GOTTA GO!
Pam

Hi all...
The meeting went well, I think I will earn an A on the project. She was pretty impressed with all the work I'd done, which was surprising to me! I didn't think I'd done much, and I sure didn't "pretty it up" for her.
I also received all my stuff back. I may have to go the lawyer route depending on how much damage they did. They just threw stuff in the boxes: one of the boxes is 90 pounds, so I'll have to go through everything down in our lobby tomorrow night.
We can't move the boxes. The maintenance guys said they'd do it for me, but they don't fit in my apartment: there is nowhere to put the boxes so that I can work on them.
He didn't need to treat my stuff that way. They accused me of being unprofessional, of not having good communication skills. What message does this communicate to me?
I think I'll take digital pictures of items as I take them out as well so I can prove damage if necessary.
Pam: Glad you're enjoying the time off. I have to admit that I'm enjoying it a bit myself, though I am rather worried about money.
Ginny: SOOOOO glad your mom is doing better!!!!!!!!!

Hey ya'll my big adventure was just that... a BIGGGG adventure! Lots and lots and lots of fun! Milwaukee is so different from where I live! I've returned to the last week and 1/2 of chaos at school. I sort of enjoyed my time in Milwaukee with my dear friends more!

A week from today will find me dropping the chalk and running for the beach!
...but until then, I'm over my head in stuff that needs to be done. Report cards must be done tonight.....so I will be rather brief! Pardon my lack of ooomph... I'm using all my "niceness" at school everyday letting my darlings LIVE. I can't be expected to be nice here too, nowww can I?!

Gin, glad to hear that mom is doing ok! I know that she greatly appreciates you being with her for those days that were so difficult! I have always said that a "hospital is no where to be when you're feeling sick!" Hope that you can recooperate and get all the pieces of your house back together! I will have to wait until the weekend to deal with the messy (and OHHHH my did they tear it up!) house from me being gone!

Summer, Thanks for missing me! I know that you offered the family much comfort at the funeral! How many more days prior to you getting to "drop the chalk"?

Mousie, Glad to hear that you are moving forward and on! Sorry to hear that your stuff was thrown into boxes....but... at least you have it back! I would take photos of your stuff as you dig around in the boxes! You never know what you might find destroyed or not find at all!

Pam, Glad to hear that you're enjoying summer! The first thing on my list is SLEEP! I'm excited that I will get to participate in that activity soon! LOL

Ok... that is it. Gotta get to those yummy report cards...darn, guess I'm gonna need to go get a glass of wine so that I can be NICE yet again....all in 1 day! ::sighhhhh:: Mannnn, this is just about tooooo much to handle!

Oh, BTW, in Milwaukee, I was told by a waiter that I have the "cutest Southern accent"....1st let me explain I was old enough to be his momma...maybe even Grandma, down here in the South! (hehehee) 2nd let me go on to explain that I take GREATTTTT pride in the fact that I do NOT have a Southern accent! I can MAKE one roll out of my mouth if I NEED to, BUT.... I was not even close to "using" THAT voice when That deaaau sweet youngin said that my accent was Qt. Ya'll can just call me Mrs. Robinson....my friends said that he was "hitting" on me. I told them that he was both deaf and obviously BLIND! I didn't bring him home to meet my family! ::snicker snicker:: But I AM practicing my SuthunDrawwwl just in case I return to Milwaukee! LOL

take care,
meeeeeee

I'm so glad that everything seems to be winding down and shaping up for everyone. I would sure hate to have to feel quilty about the summer bliss I am experiencing. So far this week I golfed twice on Monday, twice on Tuesday, and once today. I also had time to take a nap every day and read for fun! Plus I have done at least one constructive thing daily. How do normal people work all year round?

It had been in the 90's all week and humid as it can only get in Michigan. Unfortunately our central air went out and they had to order new parts. I am thinking I am getting all the benefits of a sauna just by napping in my living room! Fortunately we have a finished basement and it is always cool down there. If it doesn't cool off enough tonight I may try to talk DH into sleeping down there tonight! I guess I should have asked the repair guy how long the parts take to come in. I think the coolest temperature predicted for the next week and a half was 86.

I had to weigh in tonight and I was up 3/4 pounds. I guess I should be happy that that was the only damage with all the retirement dinners, end of the year parties, and potluck picnics I went to in the last two weeks. I am trying to get back to measuring portions. That is the only way I can keep myself honest. Does anyone else have trouble lying to themselves about how bad they are being when they get off track?

Sue

Evening, all.
Robyn: I have been told that I, too, have an accent. I'm not sure what KIND of accent I have, to be honest, but I have one. I didn't know people from Lancaster County, PA could have an accent! Amish accents? Who woulda thunk it?
And hey, I have time to help you out over the summer now with stuff for your son! Think of me as a free assistive tech resource!
Sue: Baltimore gets REALLY humid too, especially the city because we're right on the Harbor. I thought Lancaster got bad, but Baltimore is infinitely worse. I will not miss THAT or the pervasive odor of fried chicken when I move!

I did 2 of the 3 boxes tonight. They wrecked several posters, and just the overall way they treated my stuff made me cry. My friends suggested I ship the garbage back to the high school postage due. I would have done it if we had thought of it before I pitched the crap down the trash chute. Seriously, they sent me back EMPTY plastic containers, open bottles of water, lots of photocopied bits of crap, etc. I'm missing some personal stuff too.
But, I'm keeping a list and will contact a lawyer to get him to write them a letter. The only thing that makes me happy is that when my friend went looking for the school's UPS account number (we figured they'd had UPS pick it up on-site), we discovered that my ex-supervisor schlepped the stuff to a MailBoxes Etc. That means he had to put it in his car, and then lug it into the MBE. And remember, one box was over 90 pounds. Another box was 40 pounds.
I have one more box to do... then I'll bring it all upstairs. I threw away so much trash...